If you travel abroad frequently for work, or if
you have an e-commerce store with customers
from all over the world, it’s worth noting that
there are a number of English words that,
phonetically, don’t work in other countries and
can lead to double entendre or unintended offence territory. Here are 20 of them to help
you ensure that your communication isn’t lost in
translation.

France
Preservative.
Avoid asking about preservatives in France; you’ll probably be met with strange
looks. It means ‘condom’ in France.

Norway
Pick.
If you’re visiting Norway, don’t use the word ‘pick’. Your Norwegian colleague is unlikely
to be impressed - it means ‘dick’ over there. Fitter. Does your business specialise in fitness products? Be mindful that inNorway,the word‘fitte' refers to a woman’s genitals.
Turkey
Peach.
Going to Turkey? Avoid asking for a peach in the supermarket or anywhere else for
that matter. It means ‘bastard’ in Turkish.

Germany
Gift.
‘Never look a gift horse in the mouth’, we’re told; perhaps more so in Germany where
the word means ‘poison’. Latte. In Germany, latte doesn’t mean the frothy, milky concoction you get from your local
Starbucks. It means ‘erect penis’ in some German quarters.
Korea
Salsa.
Out for a Mexican in Korea? It’s probably best not to ask for salsa: it means ‘diarrhoea’ in Korean.
Sweden
Speed.
Try not to talk about speed when in the company of others in Sweden. It means ‘fart’. Bump. If you’ve had the misfortune of a bump on your car, note that the word ‘bump’ in
Swedish means ‘dump’. Speed bump. Put the above two words together and you have the phrase ‘speed bump’,
which in Swedish means fart dump. Kiss. If you ask your Swedish host or hostess for a kiss, they might very well direct you to the
toilets. In Swedish, the word means ‘pee’.

Portugal
Pay Day.
If you’re in Portugal, refrain from singing with happiness that it’s ‘pay day’. No
one will be impressed. In Portuguese it means “I
farted”. Exquisite. Extend a compliment to your Portuguese host by describing something
belonging to them as ‘exquisite’ and you might
be met with askance looks: ‘esquisito’ in
Portuguese means ‘weird’.
Hungary
Cookie.
If you’re visiting Hungary, whether on business or for pleasure, avoid asking for a
cookie. It means ‘small penis’ in Hungarian.

Japan
Jerry.
It’s perhaps a little late for Ben & Jerry’s ice cream, but if you’re in Japan, avoid using the
word – it means ‘diarrhoea’ over there.
France
Bra.
Do you sell luxury underwear? Whilst you and I might initially understand the word to
mean a garment that covers the breasts, if
you’re in France your French colleagues might
think you’re selling arms. Literally. Italy Tremendous. Refrain from boasting about the tremendous prices you offer your clients. In this
country, ‘tremendo’ is the word for‘terrible’.
Netherlands
Bill.
Asking for the bill might raise a few guffaws in the Netherlands: ‘bil’ means ‘buttocks’ there. Lager. It might confuse your Dutch colleagues if you were to ask for a ‘lager’ when having a few
drinks with them after work. Lager means
‘storage’ in Dutch. Spain Cool. The word cool is too close for comfort to the Spanish word 'culo'; a crude term for 'bum'.
Best avoided.

I dan tell una o

And in Nigeria avoid the word "Toto" It means ......

It's normal.

There's one of my classmates from Kogi State (Igala) whose name is 'Omale'. You know wat that means in Yoruba?

DeHero1:
It's normal.

There's one of my classmates from Kogi State (Igala) whose name is 'Omale'. You know wat that means in Yoruba?

no tell me

DeHero1:
It's normal.

There's one of my classmates from Kogi State (Igala) whose name is 'Omale'. You know wat that means in Yoruba?

KAI see tripz! its 'omo ale' in yoruba tho...